Chris Stair, the creative director of Bō Path of the Teal Lotus, shared some information about the metroidvania title that released July 17 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
One of his inspirations for Bō were the Metroidvania-style games he grew up with, due to the wonder and mystery that come from exploration, the excitement of discovering new abilities and the sense of satisfaction when you understand how to use those abilities you’ve found to uncover a secret path.
In Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, the team wanted to create a movement and combat system with a distinctive and rewarding rhythm, something that can make you feel like you’re in a kind of “flow“.
Create the flow
Bō cannot perform a double jump by default, so a technique you’ll have to learn early on is the Bump. When Bō hits an object or enemy while airborne with the equinox staff, you’ll glow teal, giving you the ability to make a mid-air jump. If you hit something again after the second jump, you’ll glow again and be able to make a third jump, and so on.
Eventually, you’ll discover other movement abilities that will allow you to dash or crash powerfully downward through the air.
What’s cooking
These abilities are not just for movement: they also empower your combat abilities. A key component of the action is the mystical teapot you receive at the beginning from Asahi, a tentaihana rabbit who plays a central role in the entire adventure.
When you hit enemies with the equinox staff, even when using Bump or Pogo, you’ll absorb their energy into the teapot and brew tea. You can then use that tea in various ways, for example to restore your health or to summon one of the Daruma dolls you’ve collected, capable of unleashing some of the game’s most powerful attacks.
The Daruma dolls are particularly fond of hot tea. The hotter the tea when you summon a Daruma doll, the more devastating its attack will be.
The boiling point
While the team drew inspiration from Metroidvania-style games, the game’s world and gameplay also draw heavily from Japanese folklore and traditions. The character of Bō is partly inspired by the stories of Princess Kaguya and Momotaro. Many of the yokai and monsters that Bō battles represent their creative takes on classic folk tales. Bō can also collect and equip a wide range of Omamori, charms that provide gameplay bonuses to customize the action.
Below you can see the launch trailer for Bō Path of the Teal Lotus, the first title developed by Squid Shock Studios.